[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 100 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 28237]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13127]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Federal Highway Administration


Adequacy of Truck Parking Facilities; Notice of Conference

AGENCY: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.

ACTION: Notice of conference.

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SUMMARY: This notice is an invitation to participate in a 1\1/2\ day 
commercial truck Rest Area Forum, to be held in Atlanta, Georgia. The 
forum will address the issue of how best to improve the availability 
and safety of commercial vehicle parking along the Nation's highways.

DATES: The Rest Area Forum will be held on June 29 and 30, 1999. The 
first day's session will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. The 
second day will begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at approximately 2 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The forum will be held at the Sheraton Colony Square Hotel, 
in midtown Atlanta, Georgia (Telephone: (404) 892-6000. A block of 
rooms has been reserved until May 28, 1999 under ``FHWA Rest Area 
Forum.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For information about the forum and to 
obtain registration materials, contact Dr. Patricia Hamilton, NATEK 
Inc., 4200-G Technology Court, Chantilly, VA 20151. E-mail: 
[email protected]. Telephone: (703) 818-7070, extension 3028. FAX: (703) 
818-0165. To register on-line: http://www.natekinc.com/. Questions 
about the Forum may also be addressed to Mr. Robert Davis, Office of 
Motor Carrier Research and Standards (HMCS-30), Office of Motor Carrier 
and Highway Safety, Federal Highway Administration, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590; Telephone: (202) 366-2997; FAX: (202) 366-
8842; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Electronic Access

    An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem 
and suitable communications software from the Government Printing 
Office's Electronic Bulletin Board Service at (202) 512-1661. Internet 
users may reach the Federal Register's home page at: http://
www.nara.gov/fedreg and the Government Printing Office's database at: 
http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.

Background

    On June 29 and 30, 1999, in Atlanta, Georgia, the Office of Motor 
Carrier and Highway Safety of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) 
will host a 1\1/2\ day Rest Area Forum for representatives of State 
enforcement and department of transportation officials, motor carriers, 
private truck stop operators, commercial drivers, safety advocates, and 
other interested parties. During the Forum, attendees will be asked to: 
(1) Review various issues associated with the current provision, by 
both public and private parties, of parking spaces for commercial 
drivers; (2) describe and document ``success stories'' and ``best 
practices'' being employed to alleviate shortages of parking spaces and 
enhance their safety during day and nighttime hours; (3) consider 
effective means to provide ``real-time'' information to commercial 
drivers about available parking spaces at privately owned truck stops 
or public rest areas; (4) identify appropriate actions, initiatives, 
and pilot efforts that could be undertaken by both public and private 
sources to expand the number of safe, accessible parking spaces across 
the United States; and (5) identify any needed legislative initiatives, 
including the provision of resources, that would be helpful in 
facilitating the improvement of commercial vehicle parking.
    The impetus for the Rest Area Forum is taken from the requirements 
of section 4027, ``Study of Adequacy of Parking Facilities'', of the 
Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (Pub.L. 105-178, 112 
Stat.107), which calls upon the Secretary of Transportation to 
``conduct a study to determine the location and quantity of parking 
facilities at commercial truck stops and travel plazas and public rest 
areas that could be used by motor carriers to comply with Federal hours 
of service rules.'' According to section 4027, the study ``shall 
include an inventory of current facilities serving the National Highway 
System, analyze where shortages exist or are projected to exist, and 
propose a plan to reduce the shortages.''
    In considering this requirement, the FHWA has determined that a 
first step in satisfying it should include a national work session with 
public and private sector officials experienced in dealing with this 
issue, who have researched it, or who want to contribute to its 
resolution. The FHWA believes that the feedback that would be obtained 
from the forum would help focus the FHWA's response to the section 4027 
effort, while also providing for an healthy exchange of ideas and 
recommendations among the participants.
    Accordingly, the Rest Area Forum will provide attendees with the 
opportunity to directly contribute to the dialogue on how best to 
improve the availability and safety of commercial vehicle parking along 
the Nation's highways. Aside from introductory and concluding plenary 
sessions, most of the 1\1/2\ day Forum will be conducted in break-out 
sessions, during which the groups will be asked to consider a variety 
of issues and contribute their experiences and perspectives. Attendees 
will be asked to contribute their experiences and recommendations 
through an interactive discussion with their peers; formal 
presentations will not be required or solicited.
    Ultimately, the discussions and recommendations of these collective 
sessions will be used to construct a final Forum report that will: (1) 
Offer a ``best practices'' guide; (2) identify for Federal, State and 
private sector customers how best they may proceed to influence and 
bring about better, more available, and safer commercial vehicle 
parking; and (3) provide the FHWA with needed information about 
challenges and workable solutions which can be used to both satisfy the 
immediate requirement of Section 4027 and ensure that the Congress and 
other interested parties are kept informed about progress in this area.
    Due to limited seating, early registration is encouraged. For those 
registering by May 28, the registration fee is $50. Those registering 
after May 28 or at the door will be charged $75.

    Authority: 23 U.S.C. 315; 49 U.S.C. 31136 and 31502; 49 CFR 
1.48.
    Issued on May 12, 1999.
Dwight A. Horne.
Director, Office of Highway Safety Infrastructure, Federal Highway 
Administration.

[FR Doc. 99-13127 Filed 5-24-99; 8:45 am]
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